It was at the height of noon when we finally arrived at the station. It took a few tries but eventually, I was able to guide us through with my phone's trusty GPS. Speaking of which, should probably be turned off in case they could track it.

I bought both of us the tickets with my cash – cards would have been far too risky and I brought quite a lot with me anyway – The little boy was reluctant of me paying for him at first, but with enough convincing, he ultimately agreed... with a little pout.

It was when we got on the bullet train – which was quite empty – and secured our seats that we finally made another exchange. "Say," I started as the train picked up speed, fixing my gaze in front of me as I spoke, "I still don't know your name."

"I-It's Oliver." He stammered, guilt still evident in his tone and expression.

"That's a nice name." I commented in a breathy hemi-demi-whisper.

"Wh—" He paused, thought for a quick second before he continued, "What's yours?"

Panic quietly ran through me as I contemplated, Should I tell him? No, it is much too risky.

"R-" Quick, Len! Say it before it gets too suspicious! "Rinto!" I told in what sounds to be almost an exclamation or a shout.

"N-Nice to meet you, Rinto," He smiled cheerfully for a quick moment—before guilt overtook his appearance once more, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"It's okay." I told him, "I'd-" You what? You can't tell him THAT! "I do like visiting new places anyway."

A faint smile formed on his lips, one that signified comfort and content. "Thank you," He said, laying back on his reclined chair. It was then that I finally could hear his voice: sweet, smooth, soothing; like fine mild, mellow icing on a delightful little cupcake. He could make a good singer, but it was probably for the best that he wasn't.

I watched out the window; trees, bushes, mountains whizzed past as tunnels made to be frames of their aesthetic beauty. I watched the blooming flowers, petals falling, glittering down trees; I saw the rivers flow, with pristine, crystal-clear water, no speck out of place. Then I turned to the view sitting beside me, a calm Oliver, sleeping gently, breathing softly, peacefully, rounded with his plump little cheeks enigmatically wrapped under those mysterious white bandages.

The boy was cute. That was a fact I knew true. But was I actually attracted to him? To the boy I met mere hours ago? No, not yet. It was much too soon to make such a definitive statement.

The rest of the ride had not been very eventful, though the scenes mesmerised me nonetheless. Oliver woke up eventually, three-quarters through the ride, but we didn't speak of much. Instead, we sat awkwardly side by side, glances exchanged every two or so moments, till it finally broke as the train reached our destination.

"This is it," I spoke, almost stuttered, "Sendai."

"Yeah," he lightly nodded, avoiding my eyes.

We got off the train and almost immediately, I saw Oliver's eye dilate as his mouth formed a little round 'o', I noticed in his reaction that he recognised the place. I raised my brow and looked at him expectantly, "you know your way home?"

He nodded, grabbed my right hand and began walking, almost running, visibly containing his excitement to probably see his family. "H-hey, wait!" I told him, barely catching up in my pace. Oliver slowed down at notice, an iota of guilty giggles escaping his lips as he apologised, letting go of my hand.

I followed him out the station, 'round a few corners, through many crossings, and I watched it unfold before me: the rapid change from the blinding lights of the bustling city to the dimly lit paths of the peaceful countryside. Oliver made no sign of stopping though. It had been almost an hour of walking, maybe more, and the last house we passed had already been long gone.

The boy continued to trek through the thick vegetation, and I, of course, had to follow; he swept away branches, cleared logs, walked through bushes with ease while I— I had already been discouraged since even my first splinter, a mere scratch.

"Oliver," I finally voiced my petty, whiny concerns, "is this really the right way?"

I saw his dark figure quietly placing a finger on his mouth, silently shushing me before making a quick, light nod; Clearing the final few obstacles in his path with swift agility.

It was when I caught up to him when I could finally see below: a neatly scattered collection of houses, covered lightly with the last few thin layers of snow from the end of winter; mellow yellow lights lighting up its otherwise shrouded features of antique wooden carpentry.

"You—you live here?" I felt the words pour out of my mouth in disbelief.

"Yeah," He replied softly, "it's a nice place isn't it?"

I felt for a mere split of a second a warm feeling surging intensely inside me as Oliver placed his soft hand on mine, fighting away the coldness that had consumed me. —What?

Oliver broke out in a run, pulling me behind him as he navigated his way through the quiet town. We stopped at a particularly large—all things considered—house near the centre; Oliver knocked thrice loudly, then took a quick deep breath... then exhaled slowly through his rounded lips, his eyes closed as he prepped himself for the imminent reunion.

The door shook, clicked and opened, revealing two adults, faces painted in complete utter shock, almost quite pale – though that could have been purely their genes – stepping slowly towards the shrunken boy beside me.

"Oliver? You—you're here!" The woman spoke in disbelief, placing her hand on the boy's little cheek, tears falling from her eyes.

"And who's this boy here?" She turned to me.

"He helped me, mum." Oliver answered with a light blush – presumably from the cold – dusting his cheeks, "He brought me here."

"Thank you, err-"

"Le-Rinto!" I stuttered, almost giving away my real name.

"Well thank you, Rinto." She smiled, "You're quite welcome to stay the night with us if you'd like."

"That would be great, thank you." I bowed, glancing towards an ecstatic Oliver.

"Show him to your room." I heard her whisper, to which he nodded happily and motioned for me to follow.